NUKEMAP: Drop a nuclear weapon on a map and see the effects

NUKEMAP is a serious educational tool, and it deserves a content note: it shows the effects of nuclear weapons on real places. You pick a weapon, choose a target on a map, and the site draws the blast, fire and fallout effects around it, with estimates of casualties.

It was created by Alex Wellerstein, a historian of science, and it is used by historians and educators. The point is not spectacle but understanding scale: seeing a historic weapon laid over a familiar city is far more informative than a number in a book.

It is sobering, not casual entertainment, and some visitors will want to skip it. If you go in, read the notes on how the effects are modeled. Related: the data tools in /category/oddly-educational and /category/maps-geography.

Tips for getting the most out of it

Start with historic weapons to calibrate the scale.
Read the effects notes to understand the model's limits.
Skip it if the subject is upsetting.

Questions about NUKEMAP

What is NUKEMAP?

NUKEMAP is an educational website by Alex Wellerstein that lets you simulate the effects of a nuclear detonation on a map location of your choice. Plan on about 5 min. We have not confirmed how well it works on phones. You can find it at nuclearsecrecy.com, and we check the link daily.

Is NUKEMAP safe to use?

It is an educational tool and doesn't run anything harmful on your computer, but the subject matter is heavy. It shows estimated casualties and damage on real places, so be prepared for sobering content. Plan on about 5 min. We have not confirmed how well it works on phones.